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What type of parent are you?

In recent times we’ve heard all about the “tiger mum”, “helicopter parents” and "free-range" child rearing, but naming and blaming parenting styles is nothing new.

For many years parenting experts, psychologists and child development researchers have been labelling parents – and the general consensus is that mums and dads tend to fall into one of four very broad parenting categories.

Which parent are you? Or what sort of parent would you like to be? Check out the characteristics below.

1. Authoritarian: discipline is the key to raising good kids

Parental traits include:

Having strict rules and rigid expectations

Being demanding, but not responsive

Not expressing much warmth or nurturing

Using punishments without negotiation or explanation

Less likely to give children choices or options

What the experts say: According to research, kids from authoritarian families may be relatively well-behaved but they can tend to be less resourceful, have poorer social skills and lower self-esteem.

2. Authoritative: a loving, democratic environment but with strong boundaries

Parental traits include:

Setting clear and consistent limits, often in consultation with children

Encouraging independent behaviours

Enforcing flexible but firm boundaries

Encouraging children to express opinions and able to listen to their children

Administering fair, consistent and understandable discipline

Being loving and engaged while encouraging mutual respect

What the experts say: This style of parenting gets the biggest tick of approval because it’s balanced, loving and democratic. Studies have found that children of authoritative parents are more likely to do well at school and become assertive and independent-thinking adults who form sustainable friendships and relationships.

3. Indulgent: loving, child-led parenting with fewer boundaries

Parental traits include:

Highly involved and engaged parents

Placing few controls, demands or boundaries on kids’ freedom or behaviour

Nurturing and accepting

Very responsive to child’s needs, feelings and wishes

Encouraging children to express opinions and able to listen to their children

More likely to allow kids to get away with behaviour or activities that are less age-appropriate or acceptable

Unlikely to administer discipline

What the experts say: Sometimes called “permissive”, this style of parent is openly loving and they are more likely to want to be their children’s friends. Research has found children with indulgent parents often have high self-esteem, good social skills and get on well with adults. However, they can also become involved in problem behaviour and be less motivated in school because they are not held accountable for their own behaviour or performance.

4. Uninvolved: less interested in parenting

Parental traits include:

Not engaged with their kids

Unresponsive and uncommunicative

Emotionally detached

Not openly loving

What the experts say: Also called “neglectful”, the parenting gurus don’t have much good to say about this style of parenting. While these parents usually ensure their children’s basic survival needs are met, research has found their kids can tend to perform poorly in nearly every area of life and show problems in cognition, attachment, emotional skills and social skills.